Instrument for use in the graphic arts

ABSTRACT

An instrument for use in the graphic arts which comprises means for illuminating the work area, provides a magnified image of the work area and supports the tool needed for performing, retouching and silhouetting operations. The instrument can be held in one hand freeing the other hand for manipulation of the work and other tasks.

United States Patent Andree [541 INSTRUMENT FOR USE IN THE GRAPHIC ARTS [72] Inventor: George C. Andree, 528 Willow Street,

West Hempstead, NY. 11552 [22] Filed: July 28, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 845,279

[52] US. Cl ..240/6.46, 240/2 E [51] Int. Cl. ..B43k 29/18,F21v 33/00 [58] Field of Search ..240/6.46, 6.4, 6.42, 21, 6.4 FE, 240/2 M, 2 E, 6.4 R; 350/243, 96, 244, 245, 238,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,144,210 6/1915 Kincaid ..240/6.46 1,181,061 4/1916 Bettencourt.... ..240/6.46 1,451,654 4/ 1923 Gargin ..240/2 I [is] 3,655,960 [451 Apr. 11, 1972 1,538,055 5/1925 Olsen ..240/646 2,424,064 7/1947 Stegeman... ..240/6.4 X 2,455,972 12/1948 Bowditch... ..350/243 2,725,788 12/1955 Pfleger ..350/244 2,407,106 9/1946 Shelly ..240/6.46 2,525,414 10/1950 Kleinschmidt.. ..240/6.46 3,185,832 5/1965 Nagamori ..240/6.46

Primary Examiner-Louis R. Prince Assistant Examiner-Daniel M. Yasich Att0rney-Robert J. Frank [57] ABSTRACT An instrument for use in the graphic arts which comprises means for illuminating the work area, provides a magnified image of the work area and supports the tool needed for performing, retouching and silhouetting operations. The instrument can be held in one hand freeing the other hand for manipulation of the work and other tasks.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures I I t 1 VIIIIIIIIIIIII PATEMTEBAPR 11 m2 v 3,655,960

INVENTOR.

GEORGE c. ANDREE INSTRUMENT FOR USE IN THE GRAPHIC ARTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an instrument for use in the graphic arts and in particular to an instrument which combines means for both illuminating the work area and magnifying its image.

In the graphic arts, there is a continuous requirement for making detailed corrections to negative, plates and art work by removal of unwanted portions, adding images not present in the original work, and repairing portions which were not properly reproduced in the original. Considerable skill is required in the performance of these tasks, since the details to be added or removed are often quite small, and satisfactory work can only be obtained if the retouching or silhouetting is done with great precision and accuracy. In view of these rigorous requirements, it is essential that the work be properly illuminated and that the craftsman be presented with a magnified image of the work. Conventionally, illumination of the work is obtained either by the use of overhead lights or by a light table which projects light from below a translucent surface on which the work is placed. In both cases the light provided is diffuse and is not directed on the specific area being retouched. In particular, when the light is overhead, shadows are formed. When a light table is used, it is often impossible to see the tip of the tool thereby rendering the job awkward and difficult to accomplish satisfactorily.

Producing an image of the work which is large enough to see properly is also difficult. Normally, the craftsman will hold the instrument with one hand and a magnifying lens with his other hand. He must then attempt to coordinate the position of the magnifying glass with that of the instrument. This method is not entirely satisfactory and I have therefore invented an instrument which provides excellent illumination in the precise area where it is required and, in addition, allows the craftsman to view the magnified image of the work while leaving the hand not holding the instrument free and his vision unrestricted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, I have provided an instrument comprising an elongated support member having a cavity therein. A light emitting device, such as a small incandescent bulb, is positioned at one end of the cavity, the remainder of the cavity being adapted to contain one or more dry cells for energizing the light emitting device. A first end of a light transmitting means is affixed to the end of the support member in which the light emitting device is positioned and a tool holding means is affixed to a second end of the light transmitting means. Image magnifying means comprising a lens system having at least one lens is adjustably secured to the support member.

A tool such as a brush, pen, cutting knife, scribe or other implement is inserted in the tool holding means which may be a slip chuck of conventional design. The second end of the light transmitting means has an inner concave surface which focuses the light transmitted through the light transmitting means from the light emitting device in an area substantially corresponding with the tip of the tool. The magnifying lens, which may be translated parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support member and also pivoted in any direction about one or more universal joints, is positioned by the user so that the work is illuminated at all times.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my novel instrument.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional drawing of the instrument showing details of its construction.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the instrument of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the Figures, the instrument comprises an elongated hollow electrically conducting metal cylinder 10 having a threaded conducting metal end cap 11 containing two seriesconnected dry cells 12a and 12b which provide electrical power for a small incandescent bulb 13. Two size AAA dry cells in insulated casings provide an instrument of convenient length and sufficient voltage to energize bulb 13 which is screwed into a threaded insert pressed into the end of cylinder 10 at which bulb 13 is located.

A cylindrical light transmitting lens element 18, which may be made of a suitable acrylic resin such as Lucite, is frictionally held within the end of cylinder 10, a cavity 19 being provided within lens 18 to accommodate bulb 13. A slip chuck 20 is embedded in the other end of lens 18 and is used to hold a tool such as the brush 21 shown in FIG. 1. The outer end 22 of lens 18 is in the shape of a concave disc surrounding chuck 20. The concave Lucite surfaces direct the light transmitted from bulb 13 through lens 18 to a small area 23 near the tip of tool 21 as shown by the dashed lines of FIG. 1.

A bracket 24, rotatably secured around the outer surface of cylinder 10, supports a rack 25 and pinion 26 pivoted about a pin 27. A magnifying lens system 28 is fastened to the end of rack 25 by a pair of ball joints 29a and 29b frictionally held in place by plates 30 and screw 31. Ball joint 29a is rigidly fastened to the end of rack 25 and joint 29b to lens system 28. Lens system 28 may comprise several lenses or may be a single lens depending upon the application and the quality of the optics required.

To use the instrument, the end cap 11 is screwed downward completing a circuit for electric current through a path consisting of cells 12b and 12a, bulb l3, insert 14, metal cylinder 10 and back through the metal end 11 to cell 12b. Light from bulb 13 is propagated along the outside of lens element 18 and emerges at the concave surface 22 to be directed near the tip of tool 21. Magnifying lens 28 is then adjusted by means of pinion 26 and ball joints 29a and 29b to permit the user to see at a convenient angle a sharp enlarged image of the work area. Thus, by the use of an instrument held in one hand the craftsman is provided with a light source that is always directed directly on the work area, a magnified image of the work area which he can easily keep within his field of view and a tool to perform the retouching, silhouetting or other required procedure. His other hand is, of course, free to manipulate the work as needed.

While I have shown and pointed out my invention as applied above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made within the scope and sphere of my invention.

What is claimed is: v

1. An instrument for use in the graphic arts comprising a. a hollow cylindrical elongated support member threaded at at least one end,

b. an end cap threadably inserted in the threaded end of said support member,

c. a cylindrical light transmitting lens element having first and second ends, the first end of said lens element being inserted in the other end of said support member and having a cavity therein for receiving an incandescent bulb, the second end of said lens element having a surface for directing light transmitted through said lens element to a predetermined area,

d. a tool-holding chuck embedded in the second end of said lens element, the end of said chuck being surrounded by the concave surface of said lens element,

e. a bracket affixed to said support member,

f. a rack and pinion translatably secured to said bracket,

g. ball joint means secured to one end of said rack, and

h. a magnifying lens system, said lens system being secured to said rack by said ball joint means.

2. An instrument for use in the graphic arts as defined by claim 1 wherein said ball joint means comprise a. a first ball joint attached to the end of said rack,

b. a second ball joint fastened to said magnifying lens system, and c. means for frictionaliy holding said first and second ball joint in position.

1k i I! 5 

1. An instrument for use in the graphic arts comprising a. a hollow cylindrical elongated support member threaded at at least one end, b. an end cap threadably inserted in the threaded end of said support mEmber, c. a cylindrical light transmitting lens element having first and second ends, the first end of said lens element being inserted in the other end of said support member and having a cavity therein for receiving an incandescent bulb, the second end of said lens element having a surface for directing light transmitted through said lens element to a predetermined area, d. a tool-holding chuck embedded in the second end of said lens element, the end of said chuck being surrounded by the concave surface of said lens element, e. a bracket affixed to said support member, f. a rack and pinion translatably secured to said bracket, g. ball joint means secured to one end of said rack, and h. a magnifying lens system, said lens system being secured to said rack by said ball joint means.
 2. An instrument for use in the graphic arts as defined by claim 1 wherein said ball joint means comprise a. a first ball joint attached to the end of said rack, b. a second ball joint fastened to said magnifying lens system, and c. means for frictionally holding said first and second ball joint in position. 